How to Increase Table Height

You purchased a beautiful table that will fit with your dining chairs perfectly. You get it home to find out that the deal of the century had a major flaw--the table is too short for your chairs. Before you put it up for sale on Craigslist, try raising the height of your table. With a few tools and little know-how you may turn a disaster into a one of a kind piece of furniture that will seat your family for years to come. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Decide how much you need to raise your table height. Typical table height is 30 inches. For our example, let's say you wanted to raise it to 37 inches, the typical bar height, to fit a tall set of dining chairs or stools.

2

Buy enough pre-turned furniture legs from your local home center to extend each leg on your table. Stores generally have a variety. Choose legs that best match your table. You will also need a inch dowel for each leg, plus stain or paint to match your existing table.

3

Turn your table upside down and remove any casters, glides or foot protectors. Casters may require a wrench, while nylon and metal glides can be removed with a hammer and a wide wood chisel. Simply place the chisel against the edge of the glide and tap it into the seam between the glide and the leg. Lever the glide loose and away with the chisel. Hold onto these. If your new legs don't have them, reuse them.

4

Mark the center of the leg and drill a inch hole two inches deep parallel with the table leg. Repeat with all table legs. Fit a four inch piece of inch thick wood dowel in each leg. Put a few drops of wood glue in each hole then tap the dowels firmly in and allow them to dry.

5

Cut your new pre-made legs to length using a miter or handsaw. For our example cut them seven inches long, but you can adjust as needed. Mark the top of each cut leg in the center and drill a inch hole two inches deep. If you have a vise, clamp a pre-made leg in it, with a rag wrapped around the leg to protect the wood, which will make the job easier.

6

Place a few drops of wood glue in the bottom of each hole, then fit them onto the dowels. Put a little wood glue on the flat bottom of the existing table legs and tap the new extensions firmly on until they meet the bottom of the old legs. Use a damp rag to remove any excess glue. Allow the glue to dry completely, then stain or paint the legs to match.